Investigators and Collaborators

Dan Poenaru MA, MHPE, MD, PhD

CommiSurLab Scientific Director, Pediatric Surgeon

I’m a pediatric surgeon who discovered recently that research is my true love and maybe even raison d’être… I am passionate about good communication in surgery, putting the child and the family in the center, and equity in surgical care globally.

And I believe that augmented intelligence and extended reality will revolutionize surgical care and education, and am committed to do all I can to see that happen!

Sherif Emil MD,CM

Pediatric Surgeon

My research focuses on optimizing outcomes of a number of common pediatric surgical diseases and exploring innovations in the treatment of chest wall anomalies. I am also initiating a large research effort in enhanced recovery after surgery, patient-reported outcomes, and patient-centred care and partnerships.

I am interested in elevating the quality of pediatric surgical research through engaging in prospective studies, clinical trials, and multicentre research. I currently serve as Chair of the Canadian Consortium for Research in Pediatric Surgery (CanCORPS), a consortium of 15 pediatric surgical centres across Canada researching together ways to minimize variability in care and optimize patient outcomes through collaboration and innovation.

Finally, I am heavily involved in global surgery and interested in studying ways of increasing pediatric surgical capacity in low resource settings.

Pramod Puligandla MSc, MD

Pediatric Surgeon

My research focuses on health outcomes regarding surgically correctable anomalies, particularly those affecting newborns and infants (e.g., congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH] and gastroschisis [GS]). My major research directive seeks to determine relationships between prenatal risk factors, in-hospital treatments and the long-term disability experienced by these patients. As director of the CDH Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, I lead a multdisciplinary team that looks at the risks and complications in CDH infants. Specific areas of inquiry include long-term lung function, feeding and growth, as well as neurodevelopment.

My other major research directives include my involvement as co-director of the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSNet), a population-based warehouse of in-hospital outcomes for CDH and GS, as well as my involvement as a steering committee member of the Canadian Consortium for Pediatric Surgical Research (CanCORPS), a national research effort involving 15 pediatric institutions.

Maeve Trudeau MD, CM, MPH

Pediatric Surgeon

Dr. Trudeau is passionate about working with underserved populations, in Canada and abroad. She has worked in Inukjuak, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, India, and the Middle East.

Her clinical interests include the surgical management of solid tumors and pediatric colorectal surgery and contribute to multiple missions within the Division and the Department.

Esli Osmanlliu MSc, MD

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

My research program focuses on telemedicine innovation for pediatric acute care delivery. Through diverse family-partnered research, this program will contribute to the development of socially acceptable and accessible technological innovation for improved pediatric telemedicine.

With my research team, I will adapt and test novel digital technologies to improve the remote care of children with infectious symptoms. I am particularly interested in digital otoscopy and throat examination supported by artificial intelligence-based clinical decision support tools.

Ultimately, I envision that this work will help reduce ED visits for low-acuity conditions, improve family care experiences, and increase access to expert pediatric knowledge.

Staff

Elena Guadagno MLIS

Research Director

I’m a Research Director working with the pediatric surgery team at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the CommiSur lab, National Coordinator for CanCORPS & CBAR as well as Program Manager for the Children’s Journey. Prior to this, I worked as a senior librarian at the MUHC medical library. My career started in managing and designing Library Software.

My main interests lie in supporting improvement in patient & family centered patient care both in research and as a patient partner, pediatric surgery including Pediatric Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS), artificial intelligence in communication, global health and more. Nationally supporting outstanding multicentre research efforts through the Canadian Consortium of Pediatric Surgery (CanCORPS) and the Canadian Biliary Atresia registry (CBAR).

Manoja Chandralingam BSc, RN

Clinical Research Coordinator, Nurse

I’m a Registered Nurse with a background in Obstetrics and Gynecology, specialized in fertility. Over the course of my practice, I’ve become passionate about improving the quality of care for patients, through patient and family centered research and education. As a result, I’ve worked as a Research Assistant on different projects. Currently, I’m the Clinical Research Coordinator for the Children’s Journey App study, which aims to help caregivers of young patients better navigate different health trajectories in the hospital and consequently decrease health service utilization.

Waseem Abu-Ashour PharmD, PhD(c)

Clinical Research Coordinator

I’m a pharmacist by training. I worked as a community and a hospital pharmacist for several years. In the last few years I’ve found a new passion in clinical and health outcomes research and I’m currently pursuing my PhD in health outcomes research. I worked in academia, biotech and research institutes in the past. My field of interests are health outcomes and therapy, digital health and incorporating AI into healthcare research.  I’m glad to be working with the CommiSur lab family in cutting edge research.

Michael Hinks, BNRN

Clinical Research Coordinator, Nurse

I’m a Registered Nurse with over ten years of clinical experience. I’ve spent half of my career as a Travel Nurse. I’m currently working towards a Master of Science in Pharmacy. I’ve made a transition into research in the last 3 years, working in both biotech and health outcomes. My research focus lies mostly in qualitative research. I’m currently working as a Clinical Research Coordinator and I’m excited to be working with CommiSur lab to help shape the future of healthcare.